Nick Ractliff - PCB Byrne

Our People — Biographies

Nick Ractliff

Partner

nractliff@pcb-byrne.com

0207 842 1660

07920 005303

Languages:

English

Teaming a creative approach, innovative strategies and ground-breaking solutions, Nick continues to test the legal boundaries – working on some of the largest cases commenced and conducted in the English High Court.

Nick works across a broad range of high-value, multi-jurisdictional disputes involving civil fraud, asset recovery, enforcement, banking litigation, arbitration, insolvency and shareholder claims. He has particular expertise in obtaining freezing, search, and disclosure orders.

Nick is consistently singled out for his work in international fraud and banking litigation, including high-profile cases for CIS banks. His hands-on approach and measured demeanour are welcomed by clients, who turn to Nick as a trusted manager of large-scale litigation.

The directories say:

Nick is recommended for his work in civil fraud, asset recovery, commercial litigation and banking litigation, and is described as ‘dedicated and thorough’ and commended for his ‘hands-on approach’.

Who’s Who Legal

Nick is recognised as a Thought Leader for Asset Recovery in the 2020 edition and is described as ‘a superb asset recovery lawyer’.

Legal 500

The 2021 edition recognises Nick as a Next Generation Partner for Commercial Litigation and describes him as knowing ‘his stuff’, ‘calm and measured’ and an ‘experienced, diligent and able litigator’.

He is identified as a key lawyer for Civil Fraud and Banking Litigation and recognised for his ‘expertise in commercial and civil fraud cases involving freezing, search and disclosure orders’. His role as lead counsel to Russian state liquidator the Deposit Insurance Agency in its pursuit of fraud claims against Georgy Bedzhamov resulting in a High Court order freezing £1.34 billion in assets is highlighted.

Previous editions describe him as ‘highly rated’, ‘incisive and very strong minded’ and ‘a highly effective manager of long-running litigation’.

Notable experience

For Jennington International Inc. in a US$500 million claim alleging deceit, conspiracy and breach of fiduciary duty against the former directors and shareholders of a gold mining company.
For the primary defendant in a US$1 billion claim connected to the ownership and investment in a Middle Eastern Bank.
For VTB Bank in a claim to enforce Russian Judgments for approximately £20 million against a personal guarantor who owned three Italian properties through an English LLP.
For Bank of Moscow in obtaining a worldwide freezing order in support of, and enforcing, Russian judgments worth £200 million against an exiled oligarch.
For the Russian state-owned liquidator in commencing claims worth US$1.3 billion and obtaining a search and worldwide freezing order against Georgy Bedzhamov for frauds committed in connection with Vneshprombank.
For KMG International NV in the enforcement of a US$200 million arbitration award.
For Italian Pension Fund and Co-Liquidators of Luxembourg Investment Fund in a multi-million-pound claim against a German investment bank in connection with the sale and purchase of a complex structured investment.

Background

Having joined in 2009, Nick became a partner of PCB Litigation in 2016 and previously practiced at Lawrence Graham and Speechly Bircham. He graduated from Exeter University with a degree in economics before converting to law. Nick is a member of the Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association and London Solicitor Litigation Association.